A Canada-based engineering company will be heading up the preliminary design work for improvements to a stretch of Highway 102 in Halifax.

Firm WSP has been awarded the $1.1 million contract following a public procurement process, the provincial government announced on Tuesday.

The firm will be tasked with identifying “corridor requirements” for the 102 between exits 0 (Bayers Road) and 4C (Highway 107). The report is expected to take one year.

“This is an important step forward as we are moving from identifying problems to finding solutions,” said Public Works Minister Fred Tilley. “This project will determine how to transform this critical part of the transportation network for future generations.”

Tilley said the government would continue to look at ways to improve traffic congestion in the meantime. Recently, he’s mentioned using Halifax bus lanes as high-occupancy vehicle lanes and synchronizing traffic lights.

Government says WSP will work closely with Link Nova Scotia and the Department of Public Works on the 102 project.